“Got somethin’ to say to you that I wouldn’t want overheard.” He paused. “If you take my meanin’.”
I understood perfectly. Logan practically owned this town and Morgan had information which could help me in my quest.
Even as we took our seats, he said to me. “You can’t stay here no longer.”
“Why not?”
“Cuz he’s after you.”
“He?” The word stuck in my throat. “You mean Logan?”
Anxious, Morgan looked around as if to make none of his brother’s spies were in the room. Then slowly, he nodded.
“He can be awful mean when he wants to be.”
“So I’ve seen.” I lowered my voice and looked down at my empty platter as Ma brought out the food and dished out generous portions for each of us.
For a few moments we both ate in silence and I could feel my stomach crying out in gratitude. I ate slowly, savoring it all since I didn’t know when I’d eat again.
Had Logan told Morgan what he suspected – of who I was and what I wanted here in Ruby City? Suspiciously I waited, but if it bothered Logan, it certainly did not bother his brother who continued to be as charming as before.
Morgan’s hand rested on my arm and while I thought that rather forward of him. I did not pull away. He leaned forward slightly. “My brother can also be quite persuasive.”
“Yes, I’ve seen that, too.” I grimaced.
There was another long pause as Morgan studied my face and I felt myself blushing uncomfortably. “You attracted to my brother?”
“No!” I pulled my hand abruptly away from his. “What made you think that?” I hissed, calming down.
He shrugged, “Just askin’. You know no one ever really found out exactly. how Ginny died.”
“Ginny?”
“His first wife. He says she died during that winter storm we had in ‘89. He says he couldn’t get Doc to come out from town and he saw nuthin’ he could do but bury her. So he did.”
My mouth must have dropped open with astonishment. Quickly, I closed it as I forced myself to chew some of the meat from the stew, but the delicious flavor had momentarily vanished. “You mean he buried her without even trying to save her?”
“Like he says, Miss Elisa, there weren’t no way she could be saved. Said she got the fever and the like and no one could get out there.”
I took a deep breath as I practically inhaled the coffee. “Are you saying he murdered her?”
Morgan leaned over towards me again, whispering. “Shh. Don’t talk so loud.”
I nodded. As I forced myself to butter some bread, I found my hand trembling.
Finally, I took another sip of the coffee to moisten my dry tongue. “Why... why are you telling me this, Mr. James?”
“Morgan, please.”
“Why are you telling me this, Morgan?” I repeated.
“Cuz I’ve seen him puttin’ the charm on you, and I know he wants you out on the ranch with him. Just want to warn you.”
My heart was beating rapidly and despite my earlier hunger, I found I could no longer eat.
It took all my nerve to repeat the thoughts that were bombarding my mind now. “Are you saying he might want to kill me, too? But why?” My hand shook as I tried to pick up the coffee cup and slowly, I set it down. I was sure then. Logan must know the truth about me. That would be the only reason I could think that he’d want to kill me. I was sure that Morgan, in his own way, was trying to protect me. Nevertheless, I had to ask.
But Morgan seemed not to know Logan’s reason, or if he did, would not say. He only shrugged. “I’m sayin’ Miss Elisa, that you don’t want t’ be alone with him.”
I shook my head. “What you’re telling me, Morgan, is ridiculous. Firstly, it’s true that your brother has asked me, several times already, to go out to your ranch and assist him with his daughter. But it’s also true that I have refused. I intend to stay right here until — ”
“Until your cousin comes to fetch you?”
We both turned to find Logan standing in the door. He strolled into the room as if he owned the place, and I had no doubt he probably did.
“What tales has my darling brother been telling you, Miss Edwards?”
Morgan stood abruptly, his hand going to his gun.
I gasped and then saw that Logan had already pulled.
“You really need to practice more, Morgan.”
He graced his brother with a grin and then he casually laid his gun on the table, pulling out the chair and straddling it as he might a horse.
For a brief second I thought of grabbing the weapon and shooting him just as he had probably shot my brother. But unlike him, I was civilized. I would get the facts before I executed this murderer.
It was impossible to miss the tension between the two brothers, but finally Morgan sat down again as Logan picked up a platter from the table behind him.
“I was just telling your brother that I have no intention of going to your ranch to teach your daughter. It... it would not be proper.”
“Indeed, I agree it would not.” He tasted the stew.
I felt a sense of relief, but from the look in Morgan’s eyes, I knew it was going to be short-lived.
Both of us waited and watched as he ate.
Finally, he looked up and smiled at me. “I’ve decided, Miss Elisa, that you’ve taken so long t’make up your mind,” he paused, “I’m uppin’ the ante. You’re going to be my wife.”
Chapter 10
Stunned, I could only stare at him. “Why?”
“Why not?” He gave me one of those infernal laughs of his and leaned back in his chair, nearly tipping it over.
“Logan, it’s obvious the girl’s not in love with you. If you want to get married again — ”
Logan jabbed his finger – gun-like – toward his younger brother. “You keep out of this, little man. This is my decision.”
Furious, Morgan clamped his mouth shut. A moment later, he pushed away from the table.
“We’ll talk later, Elisa.
I sighed and nodded. “Yes, Morgan, I’d like that.” I forced myself to smile at him, feeling Logan’s eyes studying me.
It was only after Morgan had gone, after we were alone in the restaurant, that I turned my attention back to the man seated at my side.
“Why?” I asked him again, confused at the feelings flooding me as he boldly assessed me.
“Told ya. Want someone to take care of my Sara.” He idly played with the fork on the table, but I could see that from beneath those hooded lids, his silvery-blue eyes were assessing me.
“But... marriage? And why me?” My heart pounded as I realized that were I actually to marry the man I’d never be able to bring him to justice. A wife could not testify against her husband. Then I hastily corrected my thoughts. What was I thinking about? I was never going to marry this boor.
His hand had covered mine and wanting to talk him out of this foolish notion, I did not pull away.
His thumb began caressing my palm, forcing me to feel that same excitement as when he’d stroked my ankle. I didn’t understand it.
“You don’t listen too well, do you, gal? I told you the reason already several times.” He paused, his voice soft and menacing as his eyes seemed to search my face. “Guess I’ll just have t’show you.”
Before I could comprehend his meaning, Logan James had leaned over and kissed me gently on the mouth.
Stunned, I pulled away and blinked. “How dare you!” I cried as I raised my hand to slap him.
I should have known better. He caught my hand in mid-air and held me immobile as the corners of his moustache quirked upward in a smile. “Perhaps you’d like a different lesson, Elisa.”
My heart pounded as I shook my head; I realized he’d stopped using the polite “Miss.” From the tone of his voice, I was sure it was my doom. I was sure he knew all about me and was going to kill me right on the spot just as I was sure he’d killed my brother.
I wanted t
o scream but could not.
As he leaned forward, I struggled and tried to move back, but he held me firmly in place and all I could do was close my eyes and pray to my maker that I would soon join my brother in heavenly bliss.
I was quite unprepared for his lips as they descended upon me, seeming to devour me, but this time without any gentleness.
For a moment, I struggled against him, but it only seemed to incite him more and I soon found that my free hand was no longer free, as he held both of mine with one of his and pressed me against his long lean body.
He continued kissing me, despite my feeble attempts at protest, and I found, in spite of myself, that my mouth opened to the pressure of his lips and tongue.
I do not understand how it occurred but suddenly my arms were free and to my astonishment, I placed them about his neck as I continued to respond to his kisses, enjoying the pressure of his touch and the taste of him. My fingers massaged the firm muscles of his neck in a most wanton fashion.
As he loosened his hold on me, I realized with horror exactly what I was doing.
My hands went to my mouth as I gasped and backed away from him. I had kissed – and enjoyed kissing – the man who had, I was sure, stolen my brother’s claim and murdered him.
He leaned forward again, and I feared he was going to kiss me once more. I steeled myself to allow the hate in, but it would not come. Still, I was relieved he did not try to molest me further. Indeed, his fingers stroked my chin, sending shivers down my spine.
“You’ll remember now that I usually get what I want, little lady.”
“Well you’re not getting me.” Grabbing my reticule, which I had dropped on the floor in the heat of the moment, I flushed, and then turning quickly, I left the restaurant. I could feel his eyes following me halfway down the street, even beyond the point where I was sure he could see.
~
I found Morgan in the saloon nursing a drink.
He looked up at me and from his unfocused stare, I could see this was not his first drink.
“So. You gonna do it?”
My eyes widened as I briefly stared at him and wondered: Would I have accepted the proposal if it had been Morgan’s?
“You gonna?”
Slowly, I shook my head.
“That’s good.” He drained his whiskey – or whatever else was in the glass. “Hate to have your death on my conscience, too.”
My hand gripped the wooden bar. “Too?”
He shrugged. “Tried to warn Ginny ‘bout Logan’s temper and his ways. But she wouldn’t listen.”
He poured another drink from the bottle in front of him and I winced. I felt sorry for Morgan, for the way his brother treated him. He was a stray, too. Just like the kitten.
“Will you tell me about Ginny?”
He turned and glared at me. Then shrugged again.
“Told you what I know.”
Draining yet another glass of drink, he adjusted his gun holster about his hips. I knew he was lying. I knew he had to know more about Logan’s first wife, and I had to get him to tell me.
As he turned to walk out, he looked back at me. I was startled to hear him say, “You want to marry someone? I’ll marry ya. But don’t you go marryin’ Logan, or sure as I stand here, you’ll be sorry.”
Stunned, I watched him walk out into the late afternoon sun.
I did not intend to wed anyone, I told myself. Certainly not after my mother’s disastrous marriage and the way my father had left us to cope as best we could. Then I shivered and sighed as I realized that as a woman my options in life were very limited. If I did not wed...
Sternly, I reminded myself that finding a husband had not been the purpose of my journey. Once I had discovered the situation regarding my brother, I could then decide how I would handle my own future-if indeed I still had a future.
~
As I hurried up the stairs of the hotel, Charlie called and motioned me over to the bar where he was cleaning glasses. “Ye got five-fifty?”
“Three dollars and fifty cents?” My eyes widened. “Whatever for?”
“Yer room. That’s what for, Missy. Cuz if you don’t, I gotta share it tonight.” He glanced at the huge clock on the wall which since I’d been here had been off a good twenty minutes or so. “Got a stagecoach coming in this here evenin’. Gonna have some mighty tired passengers. If you get my drift.”
I could only nod; had Logan James had put him up to this?
For a moment I thought about whether I should give him the money, but then that would leave me with precious little for food. And if I did not... well, I did not want to think who Charlie might deem fit to be my bedmate.
I leveled my gaze on him. “You will have your money, or I will be out of here by this evening.” With a quick acknowledgment I hurried up the worn stairs. I had to make some plans now and could only hope that they’d come to fruition.
My head was whirling as I entered my small room and stopped in astonishment.
Once again, I had the feeling of having been violated. Even though nothing looked different, I knew someone had been in here. It couldn’t have been Logan. He’d been with me. But it could have been one of his men.
Hesitatingly, I approached the bed. It was then I saw the cardboard photograph – the picture of my brother – as it lay on my pillow.
It had been torn in half.
Chapter 11
Trembling, I sank down onto the feather bed and picked up the picture as tears came to my eyes. “Elliot.” His whispered name forced itself from my closed throat. “Oh, Elliot.” I touched the ragged edge and hugged the torn paper to my chest.
As I held the picture, I knew that he was dead. But who had killed him –and why? I vowed I would find out.
The shouts of the riders from below drew me out of my mournful thoughts and back to the immediacy of my problem. I needed to find another place, a less expensive place to stay. Somewhere I’d be safe from the prying eyes of Logan James. Did such a place exist in this town?
Turning on my heel, I abruptly left the room. The stage would be here soon and I wouldn’t be surprised if Charlie already had orders from Logan James. I shuddered as I wondered what that man wanted of me. I wanted very much to believe that he, that some man, could want me for myself, but I was realistic enough to know that if I married Logan James it would merely mean I was less of a threat to him. I sighed. Maybe one day, when I was away from this dreadful place, I would find real love. I lay my head on the pillow, wishing I had never come to Ruby City. But it was too late now.
~
It took me several moments before I found Miss Lilly’s Boardinghouse, not far from the old mine entrance at the north end of town. Studying the gingerbread house, I could see that it badly needed painting and repair, but rooms were advertised by the sign in the front window. My hopes were raised until I saw the price: $10 per week. It was more than I had with me at the moment, but I was sure that we could come to some agreement. After all, I was a passable cook besides having the ability to teach. Anything else I was willing to learn. Certainly, Miss Lilly would never turn away another female alone and in such distress as I.
Still, it was with trepidation that I walked up the steps of the worn porch and pulled the bell cord. I waited a moment. When nothing happened, I pulled the faded fabric once more.
“I’m comin’. I’m comin’.” The irritated voice called out.
The wooden door creaked and the woman standing in the doorway stared at me. She wore a plain, much-washed blue dress that had long ago lost it brightness and her skin had that plain, much-washed look as well. Her skeletal hands clung to the door as if she meant to use it as protection. I guessed she was probably not much older than I, but she looked old enough to be my mother.
Feeling uncomfortable as she continued to study me, I looked down to see if my poplin was torn or my petticoat showing. But everything seemed fine.
I took a step forward as if to come in.
Her hand blocked the way.
“We don’t want none of your kind here!”
She began to close the door but jumped back like a startled doe when I put my foot inside.
“Wait a minute! What do you mean ‘none of my kind’?” I stared at her and realized now that I had seen her at Drucilla’s funeral service. “You don’t understand. I stayed at the hotel because I had no other place to go.”
“Really now? And the cow jumps over the moon.” She stared at me with her malevolent gaze. “Mr. James says as you take ex-trey business at night.”
My mouth dropped open. Logan James had told her that! I wondered what else he had told her and who else he had talked to. No wonder none of the decent folk in town would give me work. It was obvious that he meant one way or the other I was going to leave town… and it was even more obvious to me that I was going to stay. At least until I learned what I needed to learn.
I realized that if Logan James had already done his work, anger would get me nowhere. I decided on a different tactic. “Please.” I reached out to touch her. She pulled away as if I had the plague. “Please.” I tried once more. “Do I look like the type of woman Mr. James said I was?”
She studied me a moment more and then looked at my dress.
I continued talking to hold her attention. “I had no choice of rooms when I came to town. And if Mr. James wanted to tell you the truth, he’d admit that I didn’t even think I’d be spending the first night at the hotel. You see I was supposed to meet –” I paused to take a breath and decided I had told enough people about Elliot. I was risking my situation here as it was with those who knew me. “Anyway, they told me that the hotel was the only place I could get a room. They said your place here was full.” I paused. “Please. Let me talk to you.”
She nodded slowly. Her face softened a bit. The door opened a bit farther.
I continued talking as I stepped forward. “And now that it seems it will take my friends some time to fetch me, I have to find a place to stay because the hotel is – ” I let the words hanging in the air speak for themselves.
Logan's Land Page 8